Standup Vs. Improv

Liz Allen is an improviser and teacher who, among other things, coached the improv team in Mike Birbiglia’s film Don’t Think Twice. Liz’s trip to the Mayo Clinic became an existential crisis that caused her to reflect on her work and career, and she shares with us her revelations about angels on earth, comedy with a purpose, misdiagnoses, spontaneous jokes, enriching laughs, weird complications, having a face for comedy, surviving a long night of the soul, embracing life lessons, coaching movie actors, the surprising spiritual element of joke-telling, and best of all: solid endocrine humor! (Length 20:10)

Episode 474. The Bicycle Men

”Joe Liss is an actor, writer, and sort of the improviser’s improviser, a Second City alum who’s performed onstage in Chicago, LA, off-Broadway, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He’s also written for film and television and is the co-author of The Bicycle Men, a very funny musical which has played Read more…

Episode 357. Outtakes And Extras

”In many of our interviews, the conversations will veer into territories that are either off-topic or cut for time. This week get to hear two of those conversations. Reed Diamond (from Homicide, Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing etc.) talks about the supposed risk and definite importance of improvisation, and how helpful Read more…

Episode 339. Joss Whedon Shakespeare

”Reed Diamond plays Don Pedro in Joss Whedon‘s film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing and talks not only about the process of acting in and shooting one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, but the specific pleasures Shakespeare affords. Featuring a reduced schedule, how he became part of the Whedonverse, Read more…

Episode 39. Behind The Table

”Between seeing great Chicago actors this week, we had plenty of time to chat about fan concerns, joke selection, and smart actor choices. Featuring the results of the Podcast Awards, some highly technical medical jargon, a scary excerpt from Reduced Idol, and a special appearance by Chicago’s Improvised Shakespeare Company. Read more…